Water Plus backs research into harnessing seaweed in carbon capture

Water Plus has become the first corporate supporter of a new research initiative launched by the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) to look into the effectiveness of harnessing seaweed in capturing carbon emissions.

SAMS said its corporate supporter scheme “aims to bring companies together to raise awareness about the importance of marine habitats and underwater ecosystems.”

The seaweed project is an example of so-called blue carbon storage which focuses on coastal systems. In the UK they include saltmarsh, seagrass beds, kelp forest, biogenic reefs, and marine sediments that act as carbon sinks by naturally consuming atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Through the recently launched corporate support scheme, Water Plus will embark on awareness-raising in Scotland and the rest of the UK. SAMS director, Professor Nicholas Owens, said: “We’re looking forward to using Water Plus’s voice to raise awareness and encourage positive environmental action amongst communities and businesses in Scotland and the UK.”

Owens added: “Not only will having Water Plus as one of our founding corporate members help kickstart this new programme of vital corporate giving, which intends to highlight the impact marine habitats can have in helping the planet thrive, but their support is also contributing to the first steps in a brand new project which could have transformative impact in the future of blue carbon initiatives and accelerate our work in this important area of marine sustainability.”

Water Plus said its support of SAMS is part of its Cleaner Climate Promise, announced in March 2022, which includes supporting other charity, community and environmental projects.

SAMS has highlighted the currently limited information about how much carbon is stored in and sequestered by UK marine habitats such as saltmarsh, seagrass beds, kelp forest, biogenic reefs, and marine sediments.

It is leading an initiative – The Blue Carbon Mapping project – which, it has claimed, will make the UK the first nation to produce a complete map of its blue carbon stores. It is funded by WWF-UK in collaboration with The Wildlife Trusts and RSPB. The final report is scheduled for the coming summer with initial findings expected later this year.